Boeing and Qatar Airways are two words (or three) that I thought I would never see in the same sentence! When QR announced that it would begin flying its 77W to DXB before IAD I quickly booked on Dec. 17, the last day of my Spring Semester in college to return home to my country, Qatar.
Check-in:
I arrived at the counter well in advance since I wanted to be amongst the first to experience the new plane. The check-in staff were very helpful and courteous and even allowed me some extra baggage allowance (Shhh!). My flight was on-time in a not-so-busy Dubai Airport.
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
Dubai Terminal:
The terminal was festive with the Christmas spirit, and there were pilgrims going to perform the Hajj in Makkah Saudi Arabia. I used DXB a thousand times, and I really think this is the model airport for the region%u2014certainly the best in the Middle East.
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
I sat in the lounge and waited until my flight. As soon as boarding started, I quickly went to the gate!
We used the new double-decker boarding gate for the A380! It was the largest aircraft passenger loading bridge I have ever seen! Cant wait to try it on QR%u2019s A380s!
As I entered the aircraft, I was overcome with emotion, as I stepped into a 77W that says Qatar Airways in it! The cabin crew were very polite and guided me to my seat. When I saw the seats, I was shocked as to the size of the seats, and the huge aisles! You could play soccer in those aisles! The seats were similar to the A340-600, but they were different. The pitch was incredible! It was identical to first class, with a 2-2-2 configuration. Of course the seats were business class, but were marketed as First Class because of the short trip. (cheapskates!)
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
The business class is divided into two cabins. One had four rows in it, and the other one had three rows in it. I was seated in 5A, which is the first seat near the window in the second cabin.
The second cabin with my seat with the orange juice!
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
I touched every button on the seats, looked into every corner or the plane and talked to every cabin crew I could find! LooL! I am indeed an aviation nerd, but proud! Even though I am a civil engineer, I still find aviation to be my best hobby!
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
Take off was spectacular with a nice view of the wonderful city of Dubai! It wasn%u2019t as noisy as EK%u2019s 77W, but maybe I am being a bit biased here. It was noticeably noiser than QR A340-600HGW, as I have ridden on those many many times. Burj Dubai, the world%u2019s tallest building can be seen here! Oh yaa, those GE engines are HUGE!
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
By Halawala at 2007-12-18
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
By Halawala at 2007-12-18
By Halawala at 2007-12-18
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
The seats recline to near-180 degrees but not fully 180 degrees! This I could not understand, as there is more than ample space to convert it to a fully flat bed. However, the recline was very much near 180 degrees; hardly anyone can notice the difference.
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
The bathrooms are HUGE, the biggest I have ever seen. The doors however are not sliding and they are a bit of annoyance to close the door shut. It has mirrors inside which gives the impression of being HUGE!
By Halawala at 2007-12-18
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=D-LUX 3&make=LEICA]D-LUX 3[/URL] at 2007-12-18
Cuisine:
I was given a menu at the start of the flight, and given a choice between Jumbo prawns in a salad or chicken tikka. I chose the prawns. Its incredible we even got to choose our own meals in a half hour flight!
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
Arrival:
We had a very smooth approach and landing, which was comfortable. We were put into the %u201Cluxury%u201D busses and taken to Doha Airport. I saw the QR A340-300 for the first time! (A7-AAH)
By halawala, shot with [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=K800i&make=Sony Ericsson]K800i[/URL] at 2007-12-18
Well, that%u2019s it! I hope you like my trip report, and I am booked to take the same flight back to Dubai in Dec. 22 on the 77W! QR is certainly leading the way in terms on inflight services, and hospitality. I hope you guys enjoyed it, and sorry for the bad quality of some photos!
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1599 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (5 years 5 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 10805 times:
Thanks Lee, I am glad you liked this!
Quoting Sketty222 (Reply 1): Nice report and some really good pics of the new 77W of QR
That F cabin looks quite similar to SQ Business cabin.
This is actually the business class cabin, althought it was marketed as First Class due to it being an intra-Gulf flight. But, on the IAD route, this will be business class
Quoting Sketty222 (Reply 1): Was that screen on the bulkhead your PTV or did you have one built into the seat itself?
Yes the TV in the bulkhead is my PTV. Thats what I thought when I first entered the plane, but it is really huge and impressive.
Coal From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 1625 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (5 years 5 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 10789 times:
Quoting Sketty222 (Reply 1): That F cabin looks quite similar to SQ Business cabin.
How can that be since SQ's F cabin is 1-2-1 seating? Not to mention you have the options of flying the Suites to SYD and soon to LHR. Even the business class is bigger than QR's First:
Sketty222 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2006, 1772 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (5 years 5 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 10769 times:
Quoting Coal (Reply 3): How can that be since SQ's F cabin is 1-2-1 seating? Not to mention you have the options of flying the Suites to SYD and soon to LHR. Even the business class is bigger than QR's First:
I mentioned that the QR First (Business inter-gulf) looks a lot like SQ BUSINESS
I really meant more of the seat design with the straight seats and the large PTV's, just my opinion though so I know everyone wont agree. It looks good though, much more than I expected from QR
Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 2): Yes the TV in the bulkhead is my PTV. Thats what I thought when I first entered the plane, but it is really huge and impressive.
It looks quite far away from the seat and being unable to adjust the angle may reduce viewing quality throughout long flights.
I think I would take the QR Business anytime over SQ business.
My teacher told me that the legspace for those seats are tiny and they look tiny as well
Great trip report - those aisle really are huge. I didn't believe you until I saw those photos
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 7, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 10016 times:
Hi QatarA340,
Great TR! Very nice pictures as well!
I just got off my first B77W flight a few hours ago (EY to BKK), and i absolutely loved this aircraft. I am still recovering from the 'high'
Quoting QatarA340 (Thread starter): It wasn%u2019t as noisy as EK%u2019s 77W, but maybe I am being a bit biased here. It was noticeably noiser than QR A340-600HGW, as I have ridden on those many many times.
I was very surprised to notice the same thing. The 77W is QUIET! ... not as quiet as the A345 maybe, but MUCH quieter than the 772 (CX, BA, EK, and MH's at least)
Buck3y3nut From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 864 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 9750 times:
Aren't we all? kidding!!! Great trip report with pictures. Looks like a very comfortable plane and good to see another B777 in another new livery. QR seems to have a very good product.
thanks a bunch for sharing this report
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 9743 times:
Nice TR.
The pics are good.
Seems that you really enjoyed QR and their 77W.
Seems that you had to eat pretty fast, because that flight is just 39minutes.
Quoting B747forever (Reply 11):
Aren't we all? kidding!!! Great trip report with pictures. Looks like a very comfortable plane and good to see another B777 in another new livery. QR seems to have a very good product.
Quoting B747forever (Reply 11): Seems that you really enjoyed QR and their 77W.
Seems that you had to eat pretty fast, because that flight is just 39minutes.
Thanks all for reading this trip report. Ya, I really enjoyed it a lot even though it was very short flight. I hope you all will have the privelage of flying QR's business class.
EID MUBARAK for everyone, and I hope you are having a wonderful and joyous holiday season.
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1702 posts, RR: 43 Reply 16, posted (5 years 5 months 17 hours ago) and read 8563 times:
Great trip report with some excellent pictures. The 77W is a relatively quiet aircraft, however if you sit by the engines as I did on my AF 77W, it can become rather noisy during take off and climb. The aircraft is extremely spacious though, you are right about that.
It was good to read your experience as I shall be doing BOM-DOH-(GVA)-EWR, first week of January in Business. I look forward to experiencing QR's legendary service. Having flown almost all the major Middle Eastern airlines, I can't wait to compare QR.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24878 posts, RR: 60 Reply 17, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 8361 times:
hey you did a great job for a 39min flight. Was a cool trip. Good service and catering also for such a short flight. QR look great. I see that IR fly from DXB to Kish !!
Nice photos and look forward to the next one
OA260
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1599 posts, RR: 7 Reply 18, posted (5 years 3 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7297 times:
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 16): Great trip report with some excellent pictures.
Thanks dear!
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 16): It was good to read your experience as I shall be doing BOM-DOH-(GVA)-EWR, first week of January in Business. I look forward to experiencing QR's legendary service. Having flown almost all the major Middle Eastern airlines, I can't wait to compare QR.
I read your trip report and truly amazed by it!
Quoting OA260 (Reply 17): hey you did a great job for a 39min flight. Was a cool trip. Good service and catering also for such a short flight. QR look great. I see that IR fly from DXB to Kish !!
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